A San Francisco man reported missing while collecting abalone off the Mendocino County coast was found dead Tuesday, authorities said.

Feng Chang Wei, 44, had gone diving with four friends Sunday morning near the town of Elk, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

The group had been pushed into a sea cave along the bluff by a strong current and rough ocean conditions. As several of them clung to the rocks, Wei was struck by a wave and pushed into the cave, deputies said.

His friends tried to rescue him, but were overtaken by strong waves and were forced to swim away to save themselves.

They contacted the sheriff's office about 9 a.m. Helicopters, boats and rescue divers took part in the two-day search for Wei, but the divers were deterred by rough ocean conditions.

The team went into the cave where Wei was last seen about 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, where the divers located him and confirmed that he had died.

Wei's body was transported to Fort Bragg where his family members made a positive identification.